Automatic timing control for scarfing apparatus



y s. cpEHEMA NN, JR., ETAL 424,270

AUTOMATIC 'mlme couinol. FOR scan-me Arrm'ws Filed June 25, 1943 IN VEN TORS.

F|l lllllillllllllll l /W m M 7 MM C FWJM M e a m ratus is mounted on a carriage,

' moved transversely of the pass line Patented July 22, 1947 AUTOMATIC TIMING CONTROL FOR SCARFING APPARATUS George C. Ehemann,

Fickenscher, Duquesne, negie-Illinois Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Jr., Edgewood, and Paul H.

Pa., assignors to Car- Application June 25, 1243, Serial No. 492,320' 4 Claims. (Cl. 266-43) Our invention relates to a automatic timing control for scarring or desurfacing apparatus of the character illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 2,312,418, granted March 2, 1943, to A. M. Keller et al.

In the scarflng or desurfacing of billets and the like, a, series of oxygen torches or nozzles are employed to remove a surface layer of metal to remove defects and to otherwise thermally condition the billet for subsequent rolling. As disclosed in the said Letters Patent, apparatus has been provided for manipulating the torches and the work to enable the complete overall surface treatment of the billet or the like, and it'is desired to practice the scarfing operation as uniformly as possible.

Although control means have been provided for carrying out the necessary sequential steps in completing the scarring operations, the same have not been entirely satisfactory, As illustrated in said Letters Patent, a drum-type master controller has been employed whereby the scarfing steps are carried forward by progressively operated control circuits manually energized through the operation of said controller. Such a control is dependent upon the skill of the operator for proper timing, and due to the inability to consistently time the sequential steps, variations have resulted which affect the quality of the scarflng process. 7

It is a prime object of this invention to provide an automatic timing control for the purposes stated which will be capable of exact and accurate timing sequence between the steps or operations essential to completely and uniformly scarf the work.

matically illustrated both along and transversely of the pass line of the work to simplify the showing of the complete control circuit in a single view. r Referring to the drawing, the scarfing appadiagrammatically adapted-to be indicated'at X, which carriage is 2 billet or work 1: upon suitable wheels 2 and trackway 3 by means of an electric motor 4 and suitable gearing. In this manner, the scarfing device may be positioned for scarflng or removed from the mill operation as desired.

The scarfing device proper includes two banks or series of nozzles or torches, one series A mounted on a, slide 5 being disposed to scarf the upper and one side of the billet :c, and the other series B being mounted on a, slide 5* for scarflng the bottom and other side of said billet as the latter passes betwen said series of nozzles or torches while ignited. rSlides or supports ii movably mounted for compound motion toward and awayfrom the pass line of, the work so as to properly adjust and position the torches or noz- Zles A and B in relation to the surface of the billet a, the travel of said slides being effected by means Bit of movable horizontahfluid pressure cylinders 6 and 6 having their pistons connected with the slides, and fixed vertical fluid pressure cylinders If nd I having their pistons connected to said horizontal cylinders 6 and 6 respectively.

Controlled meansare provided for moving the work or billet, which means are diagrammatically indicated at the right hand side of the drawing and illustarted as being viewed in side elevation with respect to the showing of the cross-section of the billet and the torches or nozzles hereinbefore described. Said means includes a roller table supporting the billet adjacent the scarflng station in which one or more rollers 8 are geared to an electric motor drive 9. A self-retracting pinch roll I0 is mounted above the roller 8 and is movable by a fluid pressure cylinder II into contact with the billet when it is desired to move the latter for scarfing.

tion and throughout the cycle thereof, the foregoing apparatus is motivated automatically in proper sequence so as to obtain the uniform and efficient scarfing of the billet. Our invention has to do with the automatic control of the entire operation as hereinafter set forth in connection with the description of the control apparatus and the functioning thereof.

Preliminary to the scarflng operation, the

carriage X is moved into position through the actuation of a, reversing controller l3 in the circuit M of the carriage motor 4, the controller being normally connected with a power source l5 by conduits l6, l1 and I8, 19,20 and 2|, the latter conduit 2| containing a normally closed contact 01 of a, relay C, which relay is connected in series with the normally open master control and 5 are jury to the said torches.

switch or push button I2 and the power source I! through conduits 22, I3 and 23, i3.

To initiate the scarflng cycle, the operator reversing controller 25 in circuit 26 with the table roller motor 9, thereby preventing operation of the table roller 8.

Relay C also has two normally open contacts which close as the relay is energized, contact energizing a second relay D through conduits I8, 21, 28, i1, and contact or energizing a motor 29 and a clutch coil 30 therefor, driving an automatic resetting timing relay T, which for example may employ a series of cam-actuated contacts as illustrated. The power for said motor and clutch is supplied from a separate source 30' in circuit with contact 04.

As relay D is energized, its normally closed contact (11 opens and normally open contact dz closes, said contacts actuating solenoids 3| and 32 respectively, moving valve 33 to the position shown in the drawing, whereby fluid is discharged from the inner ends of the cylinders 3' and 6 and high pressure fluid is admitted by said valve from a suitable supply line 34 through a valve 35 to the outer ends of said cylinders to move their pistons and slides and 5 inward, thereby engaging the torches A and B with the billet :r. Solenoids 3| and 32 are connected by a common conduit 36, solenoid 31 being connected through contact d1 in a. conduit 31 with conduit H, and solenoid 32 through contact dz in conduits 38, 39 with conduit 20.

As the torches A and B are moved into engagement with the billet, they are self-ignited and begin preheating the billet preliminary to scarf ing, said ignition and the preheating gases being supplied by mechanism provided in the mounting of the torches, not shown, and the preheating of the billet continues until the cutting oxygen is turned on, as hereinafter described, thereby defining a fixed and uniform preheat time for each operation of the scarflng apparatus.

Contact d: also energizes solenoids 40* and 40 actuating fluid valves 4|. and 4| to adjust the vertical position of the torches A and B, respectively, upon the billet, said solenoids being in circuit with conduits IT and 38. Valve 4| controls the supply 42 of high pressure and supply 43 of low pressure fluid to cylinder 1.", and as actuated by contact d: and solenoid 40, said valve closes oil? the high pressure fluid and admits low pressure fluid from supply 43. Similarly, valve 4| controls an exhaust line 44 from cylinder l and a supply 45 of low pressure fluid thereto, the latter position of the valve being defined by contact (12 through solenoid 40 Hence, by means of valves 33, 4| and 42, the torch slides 5" and 5 are adjusted through the respective fluid cylinders t bring thev torches A and B into contact with the billet :r, the pressure thereof upon the latter being adjusted to just permit the torches to ride thebillet without in- Each of the valves 4i and 4| and their respective low pressure supplies 43 and 45 is provided with a pressure control including a solenoid valve 48 in circuit with a pressure relief switch 41 whereby the pressure of the fluid to said valves -and 4! my bit A 4 limited, said control devices being in circuit with conduits 33 and I1.

Relay D also closes a normallyopen third contact dz, in circuit with conduit 20 and a conduit 43, to actuate solenoid 43 and its valve ",admitting fluid under pressure from supply Ii to pinch roll cylinder I I, causing the pinch roll II to engage the billet 0:.

The actuationoi' the ioregoing takes place during a predetermined time interval, following which the timer T initiates the remaining operations in the scarflng cycle. Contact t1 0! the said A timer next closes to energize relay E, closing a single normally open contact e which energizes solenoid 82 connected to valve 35, thereby subjecting the cylinders 3* and 8 to low pressure fluid from supply 53, insuring sufficient pressure reduction upon the torches A and B to permit the billet :c to be moved, said solenoid being in circuit with conduit 33 and with conduit ll through a conduit 54. Likewise, contact e energizes a solenoid ll through conduits i1 and 58, 34, moving valve 51 to'open water sprays 53 surrounding the billet z immediately rearwardly of the plane of the torches A and B, the said water sprays being fed from a pressure supply line I! for removal of slag as the scarfing progresses.

Contact t: of the timer T next closes, energizing relay F having two normally open contacts I: and f2. Contact f1 closes and energizes solenoid 30 opening valve 3| to admit cutting oxygen to thetorches A and B, said solenoid being in circuit with conduits 82, 36, I1 and I9. Contact I: closes and energizes conduit 24 to complete the circuit to the controller 25 and roller table motor 3, whereupon the billet :c is moved through the scarring torches A and B.

After a predetermined timing interval, contact is of timer T closes to energize relay G. Normally closed contact yr of said relay opens to break the circuit I1, 43 to the pinch roll valve solenoid 43, permitting self-retracting pinch roll l0 to raise 'from contact with the billet x, and normally closed contact 9: opens to break the circuit ll, 24 to the roll table motor '3, preventing another billet from entering the torches A and B while the latter are still closed.

Contact t4 of the timer T is in circuit with the motor 30 and source 30 and is normally closed and remains closed until contacts t1, t2 and t: have closed to start the relays and apparatus which the latter control, whereupon contact t4 opens. The scarring continues until the operator opens the master control switch l2, whereupon clutch 30 opens to reset the timer action. The operator gauges the time to stop the scarfing by observing the travel of the billet through the torches.

Upon opening switch l2, relay C is deenergized and the other relays are deenergized substantially instantaneously therewith, shutting oi! the oxygen supply to the torches, permitting the carriage motor 4 and roll table motor 9 to be operated from their controllers, the torch slides I and I are retracted by the reverse operation of their respective fluid-cylinders, and the water sprays 53 are turned 01!. The automatic resetting timer T resets and is in readiness for the next scarflng operation, the time interval for returning the entire apparatus and control to normal being dependent only upon the speed of the relays and operation without over or under treatment, and without waste of the scarilng gases. In. addition. when the scarfing apparatus is positioned in a continuous mill, the same may be located in spaced relation to a subsequent roll stand in accordance with the length of billet being treated, and thereby create a fixed interval for the operation of timer contact ts so that the table roller I and pinch roll l may be stopped as soon as the billet reaches the roll stand.

It should be noted that the timing of relay F to act subsequent to relays D and E insures the relief of clamping pressure upon the torch slides and 5 so that when relay F starts the cutting oxygen, the torches will freely ride the billet without injury. 7

A further and important advantage of the present control system, operated from a single master switch, is the ability to immediately return the apparatus to normal in the event of trouble being encountered while scarflng, or at the completion of the scarilng cycle, by the simple expedient of opening said master switch.

Various changes and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In apparatus for continuously scarring billets and the like, movable scarfing torches and electrically operable means controlling movement of the same in relation to the billet, electrically operable means for moving the billet in relation to the torches, electrically operable means controlling the supply oi cutting oxygen to the torches, a source of electrical power, a control circuit including a timing device interconnecting and automatically actuating all of said electrically operable means in predetermined timed sequence while said circuit is energized, and a single pole switch in series with said power source and control circuit for instant interruption of said circuit, whereby the timing device is reset, the how of oxygen is shut oil, and the torches are retracted from the work.

2. In apparatus for continuously scarflng billets and the like, movable scarring torches and electrically operable means controlling movement oi the same in relation to the billet, electrically operable means for moving the billet in relation to the torches, electrically operable means controlling the supply of cutting oxygen to the torches, a source of electrical power, a control circuit including a plurality of relays and a timing device interconnecting and actuating all of said electrically operable means in predetermined timed sequence while said circuit is energized. means for automatically resetting the timing device upon interrupting said circuit, and a single pole switch in series with said power source and control circuit 101' instant interruption oi said circuit, whereby the operation or all or said means may be arrested simultaneously.

3. Apparatus for scarring billets or the like comprising a plurality of scarring torches, means for moving the torches in relation to the billet, means for moving the billet in relationto the scarilng torches including adjustable pressure means ior resulatins the engagement of the 5 ting of! the water spray, shutting oi! the oxygen 6 torches with the billet, means for supplying cutting oxygen to the torches, a control circuit, a single control switch for controlling the flow of current to said circuit, a timing relay in said circuit, meansactuated by the closing oi! said switch for starting the timing relay in operation, a second means actuated by the closing of said switch for moving the torches into contact with the billet to preheat it, means operable by said timing relay after a predetermined time interval to supply cutting oxygen to the torches and move the billet in relation to the scarflng torches, means operable by said timing relay after a second predetermined time interval to stop the movement of the billet, and means operable by the opening of said switch at any time during the scarflng cycle for resetting the timing relay,

shutting oi! the oxygen flow to the torches, and retracting the torches. from the billet.

4. Apparatus for scarring billets or the like comprising a plurality of scarilng torches, means for moving the torches in relation to the billet, means for moving the billet in relation to the scarring torches including adjustable pressure means for regulating the engagement of the torches with the billet, means for supplying cutting oxygen to the torches, a control circuit, a single control switch for controlling the flow of current to said circuit, a timing relay in said circuit, means actuated by the closing of said switch for starting the timing relay in operation, a second means actuated by the closing of said switch for moving the torches into contact with the billet to preheat it, means operable by said timing relay after a predetermined time interval to spray water on said billet, means operable by said timing relay after a second predetermined time interval to supply cutting oxygen to the torches and move the billet in relation to the scarring torches, means operable by said timing relay after a third predetermined time interval to stop the movement of the billet, and means operable by the opening of said switch at any time during the scarnng cycle for resetting the timing relay, shutflow to the torches ,and retracting the torches. GEORGE C. EHEMANN, Jn. PAUL H. FICKENSCHER REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file oi. this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,244,822 Bucknam June 10, 1941 2,323,977 Chelborg et al July 13, 1943 2,312,418 Keller et al Mar. 2, 1043 2,208,607 Somes July 23, 1940 2,238,082 Somes Apr. 15, 1941 2,281,297 Somes Apr. 28, 1042 1,538,410 Schroeder May 19, 1925 844,074 Woodward Feb. 12, 1907 1,541,600 Steenstrup June 9, 1945 2,309,096. Bucknam et al Jan. 26, 1943 2,076,290 Bliss Apr. 0, 1937 2,130,405 Andrews Sept. 20, 1338 2,290,826 Bosomworth July 21, 1942 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,424,270. July 22, 1947.

GEORGE O. EHEMANN, JR, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 5, lines 61 and 62, claim 2, strike out the Words the operation of all of said means may be arrested simultaneously and insert instead the timimg device is reset, the flow of oxygen is shut ofi, and the torches are retracted from the work; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of October, A. D. 1947.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,424,270. July 22, 1947.

GEORGE C. EHEMANN, JR, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 5, lines 61 and 62, claim 2, strike out the Words the operation of all of said means may be arrested simultaneously and insert instead the timz'mg device is reset, the flow of oxygen is shut of, and the torches are retracted from the work; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of October, A. D. 1947.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'ssioner 0 f Patents. 

